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Using SKY+ box for Freesat+


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Old 28-03-2009, 13:20
bilbosw18
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Hi, I'm a little new to all of this.
I have a SKY+ Box (PACE 3100) which I would like to use for Freesat+.

Is this possible to do and if so how?

Many thanks.
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Old 28-03-2009, 13:24
Snoods
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You need a subscription to enable recording on the Sky+ box but you will probably already get most of the freesat channels on your Sky+ box plus a few more that still requires a viewing card.

freesat+ is a recorder which records the freesat service without a subscription. (Humax HDR)

If you already had/have Sky Digital, the dish position is exactly the same. (It's more or less the same Free To Air channels too)
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Old 28-03-2009, 13:40
bilbosw18
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Thanks for the reply.

I have a regular Freesat Card with my SKY+ Box.

Is there any way to enable me to record Freesat on the HDD without buying a subscription or a new box?

Thanks again.
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Old 28-03-2009, 13:48
savvy
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Hi, I'm a little new to all of this.
I have a SKY+ Box (PACE 3100) which I would like to use for Freesat+.

Is this possible to do and if so how?

Many thanks.
There are ways to do this for "Free", but I think the legal position is somewhat dubious, and it will involve some "interruption".

If you take your current subscription card out of the Sky+ box, you will get a good idea of what you will get free(sort of).

If you cancel your subscription, and make a note of the end of notice period date, then ensure that you take your card out of the box a couple of days before the expiry.

This is where the "interruption" comes in. You will now only be able to get the FTA channels, not the FTV channels that are encrypted by Sky, and you will not be able to Record anything. You can add some of the channels, like the FTA version of Five using the "Add Channels" facility. You will still see all the channels on the EPG that you can't access, which will be a pain, but you can just use Favourites.

Sky will try to send cancellation signals to your card in the box for up to 3 months, after that it gives up. If you put your card back in after 3+ months, you should get all your FTV channels back, plus the recording facility without having the £10pm subscription.

This "workround" may be negated, because Sky are due to issue new cards in the next few months. Of course you could leave your cancellation until after you have got your new card.

Whether you want to be bothered with all this, especially losing your record facilities for 3+ months, is up to you. And, as I say, I can't speak for the legality of it.

Other than that, it is necessary to cancel your subs and tell Sky you want to use it as a FSFS box, and that you want to pay them £10pm for the recording facilty.

Edit : Just seen your second post. So presumably you already have just FSFS card, and only pay them £10pm to record?

Rgds.


Les.

Last edited by savvy : 28-03-2009 at 13:54. Reason: Further info in OPs second post
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Old 28-03-2009, 13:50
grahamlthompson
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Thanks for the reply.

I have a regular Freesat Card with my SKY+ Box.

Is there any way to enable me to record Freesat on the HDD without buying a subscription or a new box?

Thanks again.
Nope. Freesat don't have any channels it's just a different epg to your Sky one. They are all free to air (except possibly ITV HD which is an odd ball) and can all be viewed on a Sky box without a card. most are the same channels as on your Sky epg. Some like the free version of CH5 have to be added using add channels. Sky have the cheek to charge you £10.00 a month to allow you to record on your own box.
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Old 28-03-2009, 14:10
bilbosw18
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Thanks guys.

Les - I have a regular Freesat card in my Sky+ Box, but NO Sky subscription at all.

I currently don't pay anything and I can't record anything either.

Since I have bought the hardware, I want to be able to use it to record the FTA channels provided by Freesat, but I do not know how to set this up!

I certainly don't see why I should have to pay Sky ANYTHING to do this as I have no intention of becoming a Sky customer.

Cheers...
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Old 28-03-2009, 14:37
savvy
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Thanks guys.

Les - I have a regular Freesat card in my Sky+ Box, but NO Sky subscription at all.

I currently don't pay anything and I can't record anything either.

Since I have bought the hardware, I want to be able to use it to record the FTA channels provided by Freesat, but I do not know how to set this up!

I certainly don't see why I should have to pay Sky ANYTHING to do this as I have no intention of becoming a Sky customer.

Cheers...
Right, As you have no current subscription - you can't

It's is very annoying isn't it, having bought the hardware, but can't use it without paying a sub to record. Sky squirm out of this by saying you have bought the box, but only licence their software on it.

That's why I bit the bullet, dumped Sky, and got the Humax Foxsat HDR. We only really watch the main five channels, but now get some HD as well. Yes, it's an initial outlay, but no subscription.

Rgds.

Les.
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Old 28-03-2009, 15:03
bilbosw18
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Bummer.

I do find this annoying.

Certainly Sky will not get any money from me with this attitude.

I don't want to clutter my home with every box under the sun (I already have a Freeview tuner / DVDRW / PVR that I use ordinarily) and I'd actually like to have the option to subscribe to Sky in the future (British Lions, Tour de France etc. which I'm happy to pay for).

I don't expect to be charged by Sky when I don't want their content.

I will watch the rugby in the pub...

Thanks anyway
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Old 28-03-2009, 16:51
wgmorg
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What attitude would that be ... a subscription company charging for its subscription services ... which you had full knowledge they would do when you bought the Sky+ box ...

Certainly Sky will not get any money from me with this attitude.
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Old 28-03-2009, 17:18
Andrue
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I certainly don't see why I should have to pay Sky ANYTHING to do this as I have no intention of becoming a Sky customer.
Unfortunately you have no choice at this time. Sky have required people to pay in order to enable the recording feature ever since launch (although it's been waived for normal subscribers for a long time now).

There's not a lot of point arguing about. It's perfectly legal and Sky make it quite clear in packaging and advertising.

You bought a Sky box and you should have checked what features it would offer you. If you're one of those weirdos that has an irrational hatred of Sky then perhaps you shouldn't have bought their hardware
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Old 28-03-2009, 17:22
theShadowman
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Dont the $ky fans bite easily
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Old 30-03-2009, 09:21
jwball
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What attitude would that be ... a subscription company charging for its subscription services
And also charging you to record programmes on your own equipment just to rub salt into the wound maybe?
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Old 30-03-2009, 12:00
Willie Wontie
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Certainly Sky will not get any money from me with this attitude.
I don't expect to be charged by Sky when I don't want their content.
Then don't expect to use their software for free.
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Old 30-03-2009, 15:34
capers123
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I have a regular Freesat card in my Sky+ Box, but NO Sky subscription at all.
Oh no you don't!

There is no such thing as a 'regular Freesat card'. Freesat does not need, or have a card.

What you have is probably a "Freesat From Sky" card, which lets you receive 'Free to View' channels on your Sky box, that are transmitted with Sky's electronic programme guide.

Freesat+ is a box that will record the channels available on the Freesat system transmitted with a different EPG from the Sky one. No card is needed to use these boxes, nor is there any subscription payable to use the record functions.

You may wish to place questions on the Sky forums here.
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